The continuation of the Xbox platform leading up to the approaching Xbox and differing Series iterations that will launch later this holiday is more than a conceptual hardware system, instead the brand will continue to branch onto other non-gaming standard landscapes through mobile and streaming. And while the main assumption for competition points a strong finger towards Nintendo and Sony, Microsoft thinks otherwise.
According to an interview with Protocol, Xbox head Phil Spencer denounces the forthcoming aggression that will be held against both Xbox and overall Microsoft in the long run. Although the physical consoles are a driving cause for both companies, Spencer urges that Microsoft’s main concern is pointed towards Amazon as well as Google.
Again, while Microsoft is scheduling to release a new version of Xbox for the next generation in the latter half of 2020, the company’s main focus now shifts towards accessibility through stream-based integration and cloud gaming.
When you talk about Nintendo and Sony, we have a ton of respect for them, but we see Amazon and Google as the main competitors going forward,” says Spencer. “That’s not to disrespect Nintendo and Sony, but the traditional gaming companies are somewhat out of position. I guess they could try to re-create Azure, but we’ve invested tens of billions of dollars in cloud over the years.
We have already witnessed these initiatives with Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass, and Project xCloud in the past few years. Additionally, Spencer cites for Microsoft’s “ultimate goal” is to provide gaming to 7 billion throughout the world. Branding these current services with the Xbox name is only to identify Microsoft’s footing as the listed initiatives are available on PC as well as mobile devices.
Even more, Spencer shares some insight from the company which only reiterates what was previously said concerning Microsoft’s ambitions for cross-platform play support for more projects in the long run. However, this looks to be the furthest collaboration that Microsoft intends to settle with Sony or Nintendo in the coming future as tech giants Amazon and Google are on the brink of developing alternatives to what Microsoft has already implemented through Xbox.
In a different interview elsewhere, Spencer discloses that Microsoft’s ambitions for the coming Xbox Series X will emphasizes more stable framerates over higher resolution output for supported games. You can read the full report by going here.
Do you agree with Phil Spencer’s statement on Xbox’s prime competition?
Source: Protocol
